Sinn Fein’s Six-County Development Minister Conor Murphy has suspended
his most senior civil servant under amid a controversy over the award of
contracts for water supply.

Earlier this year four of Northern Ireland Water’s non-executive
directors were sacked amid concerns over a lack of a public tendering
process for about 28 million pounds (34 million euro) in contracts.

The permanent secretary of the Department of Regional Development, Paul
Priestley, was suspended on Tuesday following a phone conversation with
Mr Murphy.

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Civil Service announced: “The
investigation will consider information which has just emerged.

“The suspension, in accordance with Northern Ireland Civil Service
personnel procedures, is for the purpose of facilitating the
investigation and is not a disciplinary penalty,” the statement read.

Unionists and the SDLP have used the matter to attack Sinn Fein’s
handling of the Stormont Ministry.

“Whilst we need to establish the truth about the role of the permanent
secretary, many will question how the [Department for Regional
Development] Minister was able to offer defence for the permanent
secretary, and in less than 24 hours make a compete U-turn,” said the
DUP vice-chairwoman of the Assembly regional development committee,
Michelle McIlveen.

However, Mr Murphy was defended by Sinn Fein colleague Paul Maskey, who
said: “Clearly Conor Murphy has received information of a significant
nature.”

“His decision that the position of the Permanent Secretary within his
department was no longer tenable would not have been taken lightly. I am
absolutely certain of that.

“Conor Murphy has once again acted promptly and robustly. The
information he received was from Mr. Priestly himself, which presumably
is why he was able to come to a speedy conclusion regarding Mr.
Priestly’s position.”

There are larger fears that the Six-County administration is falling
victim to a culture of corruption. Commentators have pointed to the
serial allegations against DUP leader Peter Robinson, who
nevertheless has remained in his post as First Minister.

Questions have also been raised over the actions of two SDLP Assembly
members who had challenged the investigation into Northern Ireland
Water.

Amid claims and counter-claims, Sinn Fein criticised the SDLP for what
it said was an attempt to defend “those who have been called to account
for their failings”.

“Are they content that contracts be awarded without tendering? Are they
suggesting that the Minister should have turned a blind eye? It appears
that is their position and it is one that is causing significant unease
particularly with those businesses consistently denied a crack at
government contracts,” Mr Leonard said.